Charges filed against Robert Gregory Bowers in connection with Saturday’s massacre at a Pittsburgh-area synagogue could lead to the death penalty if Bowers is convicted, Attorney General Jeff Sessions said

“These alleged crimes are reprehensible and utterly repugnant to the values of this nation. Accordingly, the Department of Justice will file hate crimes and other criminal charges against the defendant, including charges that could lead to the death penalty,” Sessions said Saturday.

Bowers is charged with 11 counts of using a firearm to commit murder and multiple counts of two hate crimes: Obstruction of the exercise of religious beliefs resulting in death, and obstruction of the exercise of religious beliefs resulting in bodily injury to a public safety officer.

The federal hate-crime charges can carry the death penalty with a conviction.

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The crimes of violence are based upon the federal civil rights laws prohibiting hate crimes, said U.S. Attorney Scott Brady, and Bob Jones, the FBI special agent in charge of the Pittsburgh office, in a statement.

Brady called the massacre an “unspeakable and hateful crime” and noted that during his rampage, Bowers talked about genocide and killing Jewish citizens, Fox News reported.

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“The actions of Robert Bowers represent the worst of humanity,” Brady said.

Jones said the victims were “brutally murdered by a gunman targeting them simply because of their faith.”

On Saturday, Bowers entered the Temple of Life synagogue in Squirrel Hill, near Pittsburgh, armed with a rifle and three handguns. He killed 11 people and wounded six. Four police officers were among the six people wounded. Bowers was wounded in a gun battle with police.

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The slaughter was the deadliest attack on Jewish citizens in American history, said Jonathan Greenblatt, CEO of the Anti-Defamation League.

The United States Holocaust Memorial Museum said in a statement that the attack is a reminder of the dangers Jewish people face.

“The museum reminds all Americans of the dangers of unchecked hatred and anti-Semitism which must be confronted wherever they appear and calls on all Americans to actively work to promote social solidarity and respect the dignity of all individuals,” the museum said in a statement.

Jack Davis is a free-lance writer. Writing as "Rusty" Davis, he is a Spur Award-nominated writer whose first two novels, “Wyoming Showdown” and “Black Wind Pass” were published by Five Star Publishing.

Jack Davis is a free-lance writer. Writing as "Rusty" Davis, he is a Spur Award-nominated writer whose first two novels, “Wyoming Showdown” and “Black Wind Pass” were published by Five Star Publishing. His next novel, "Rakeheart," will be published in 2018. Jack can be reached at jackwritings1@gmail.com.